KAIRO
MARCH 14, 2000 (Then)
Davao City
"Carina, who---"
"He raped me, Kairo, for almost three years . . ." Nakulangan itong bigla ng hininga. The sun wasn't there anymore, the only thing that was lit was the light post behind him, but Kairo could see how she looked at him straight in the eye, without hesitation. Sa biglang pagpula ng ilong nito, ganoon na lang ang pagbulusok ang mga luha ni Aryella.
"He raped me for almost three years." Mas madiin ang boses nito sa pangalawang pagkakataon, napalunok, saglit na yumukong itinutop ang kamay sa bibig. She was having a hard time to breathe, but then she looked up at him again. "It started when I was just six years old. He killed my mother. Si Aunt Laura ang nag-alaga sa akin, ang kumupkop sa akin, ang nag-alis sa akin sa Batanes, tinuruan
